Advertising Disclosure

Personal Loan Vs Business Loan

Sapphire Star

2022-01-31

Having the cash to grow your business is always a nice problem to have. Businesses often need capital funding for investments in machinery, equipment, buildings, inventory and more. With so many options available for financing your business, it can be difficult to determine which option will provide you with the best outcome.

The good news is that finding the right loan isn't necessarily an all or nothing proposition. Just because you are looking into a personal loan doesn't mean you won't find success borrowing against your business. Before making any decisions on how to finance your company's growth, it's important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Best Business Loan Provider

1
Consumers Top Pick
A+ Best Rating
9.6

Better Penny score

LendingTree
Loan Amount: $5K to 1 Million
  • Time in Business: 12 Months
  • Monthly Revenue: $8000+
  • No Minimum Credit Score
4.3
TrustPilot Score

Based on 13661 User Reviews

Best
Consumer Interest

Based on the past 7 days

Excellent
Products and Services

Better Penny Review Score

Personal Loans Vs Business Loans

As their names suggest, personal loans are debts taken out by individuals, while business loans are borrowed by companies. The main difference between personal and business loans is that with a personal loan, the borrower is responsible for repaying their credit card based on an unsecured basis. A business may also borrow unsecured funds, but they will be more likely to secure against an asset or equity in the company. 

On the other hand, with a business loan, you'll most likely be using either your operating cash flow or some type of collateral as security for repayment of your line of credit if it is over $150K. An example would be equipment leases, purchase order financing, accounts receivable factoring, or real property mortgages.

There Are Advantages To Both 

Both unsecured and secured loans require good credit. If you happen to have bad credit, you should consider regular installment loans. Some business finance companies will look at your personal debts first before considering your company's ability to repay them.

Although either type of financing can be used for almost any purpose, it is common for businesses to use them for specific reasons. Businesses may borrow against receivables if their customers are slow in paying their invoices. Business loans are often associated with larger-scale transactions that require more capital than what most banks or alternative lenders are willing to offer on their own. Businesses also use these types of funds to help out with liquidity issues caused by a reduction in available cash flow. The result might be a company's inability to pay its current bills.

For companies with good credit, a business loan can help make payments on time and remain liquid. It may be difficult to offer personal guarantees for such transactions as the bank will require you to borrow against your own assets as collateral.


Secured & Unsecured Loans

Secured loans are also an excellent way for business owners with poor or no credit history to obtain financing. If you don't have established records that show that you handle debt responsibly, then it will be more difficult for a lender or investor to trust you. However, if a borrower can offer something of value as security, it is usually possible for them to secure funding even if they have a weakened financial profile. Unsecured loans are ideal when businesses need capital, but they don't have assets that can serve as collateral.

The above are just some of the biggest differences between personal loans and business loans. When deciding which one is right for your company, you should also consider things like interest rates, borrowing limits, and repayment terms to help make an informed decision about your company's financing needs. Whether you need to take out a loan against your own personal credit or secure funds with an asset-based loan, it's important to do so mindfully so that you'll be able to repay the borrowed funds on time without sacrificing the growth of your company. 

When deciding whether to take out a personal loan or business loan, it's important to weigh all of the pros and cons of each option. Personal loans are unsecured debts that individuals take on, while business loans are borrowed by companies. The main difference between the two is that with a personal loan, the borrower is responsible for repaying their credit card based on an unsecured basis. 

A business may also borrow unsecured funds, but they will be more likely to secure against an asset or equity in the company. With a business loan, you'll most likely be using either your operating cash flow or some type of collateral as security for repayment of your line of credit if it is over $150K. An example would be equipment leases, purchase order financing, accounts receivable factoring, or real property mortgages.


Personal Loan Flexibility

Personal loans are a great option for individuals who have recently started a new business or need to pay for unexpected expenses. The funds you gain from a personal loan can help with starting costs, such as marketing and developing an app, while also covering unforeseen costs like product recalls and broken equipment. Unsecured personal loans allow you to borrow your own money without putting up personal assets such as your home or car. 

You'll repay the loan based on an unsecured basis that is determined by your credit score and other factors including income. Secured lending offers security in exchange for lower interest rates than what's offered with unsecured options. But borrowers generally don't qualify since their assets serve as collateral.

Repayment Terms Vary

Business loans are also used to cover unexpected expenses, but the repayment terms tend to be more strict than with personal loans. A business loan is typically paid back in monthly installments where you pay interest-only during the first year of your repayment term. However, if you don't have sufficient cash flow to repay your loan, it's likely that you'll be expected to make payments on both interest and principal during the course of your agreement. 

This means that if you can't afford full monthly payments or require some other type of accommodation, then it's unlikely that a lender will agree to these sorts of terms unless there is clear evidence that there was a sound financial decision made when borrowing funds for your company.

If you need to borrow money for your business, personal loan, or unsecured loan alternative to a bank term that requires at least 20% down and may even call for collateral such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC). With these types of loans, you'll also be required to repay the full debt amount usually within one to five years. This can be challenging when cash flow is tight and when unexpected expenses arise.

Alternative Loan Options

An alternative option is a small business loan. These are commonly referred to as SBA 7(a) loans, which are backed by The United States Small Business Administration. You can get approved quickly with an SBA-backed small business loan if your company meets the criteria established by SBA. In addition, working capital, without using your home or personal credit cards, can be acquired in a relatively short period of time.

As with most financial decisions, the best option for you will depend on your unique circumstances and needs. Both types of loans can help you move your business forward, but it's important to understand the differences and limitations before signing any agreements.


Conclusion

This article has provided you with information about the different types of loans for your business. It is important to compare all of your options before deciding on which loan will work best for you and your business. With this guide, we hope that it is easier than ever to find a reliable lender who can help fund your company's growth!